Adapter



April 22, 1952 B. RozE'r-r` 2,594,220

ADAPTER Filed Maren 2e, 1947 s sheets-sheet 1 '.79 d Wwf/WW; @L

pw 2% 1952 B. RozETT 2,594,221() ADAPTER Filed March 26, 1947 3 SheeVCS-Sheei'l 2 April 22, 1952 B ROZETT 2,594,220

ADAPTER Filed March 26, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 #-7 l J ff/5g @6* Z9 i Patented Apr. 22, 1952 ADAPTER Benjamin Rozett, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Joseph Weidenhoff, Incorporated, a corporation of Illinois Application March 26, 1947, Serial No. 737,394

This invention relates to an adapter for use on each of a plurality of substantially circular members of various diameters for making a unitary assembly having a desired outer diameter, and relates particularly to such an adapter intended to be used with a power transfer means for either driving one of said circular members or for being driven by said circular member.

One of the features of this invention is that it provides an improved universal adapter for use on each of a plurality of substantially circular non-tapering (i. e., cylindrical) and for tapering (i. e., conical) members of various diameters for making a unitary assembly having a desired outer diameter so that each assembly may be used to drive a circular member or the circular member may be used to drive the assembly; another feature of the invention is that it provides such an adapter having an outer peripheral surface adapted to be engaged by a power transfer means for driving said circular member or being driven by said member; still another feature of the invention is that it provides an adapter for use on each of a plurality of substantially circular members of various diameters with the adapter comprising several internested substantially concentric annular parts, together with improved means for readily and rapidly assembling and disassembling the parts to make a unitary whole including the circular member around which the adapter is to be assembled; yet a further feature of this invention is that it is particularly adapted for belt driving, during testing, generators of the gear-driven type; and another feature of the invention is the provision of improved means for driving the adapter. Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent in the following description of one embodiment of the invention and the accompanying drawings. Of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of one embodiment -of the invention showing the new adapter attached to the gear Wheel of a small electric generator; Fig; 2 is a vertical section through the adapter and gear wheel and showing the generator in side elevation; Fig. 3 is a section taken along line 3--3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a front elevation of a second embodiment of the invention with portions broken away; Fig. 5 is a vertical section through the adapter and gear wheel of Fig. 4 showing the generator in side elevation; Fig. 6 is a perspective exploded view of the adapter and generator of Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is a front elevation of a third embodiment of the invention; Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken along line 8-8 s claims. (ol. 2st-52) 2 of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a front elevation of an improved driving means for rotating the adapter and circular member to which it is attached; and Fig. 10 is a section taken along line IIl--IIl of Fig. 9.

The new adapter is particularly useful for providing a driving attachment to the drive gears of automotive generators such as are used with internal combustion engines, as in automobiles and other rotating units. In testing the generators, each generator is driven at a predetermined speed and the electrical output of the generator determined. Generators from different types of automotive units, however, have gear Wheels and shafts of various diameters so that it is difficult to assemble a given power means with all generators so that each can be driven at a predetermined speed as when such units are under test.

' The present adapter was designed to overcome this difficulty. In the new adapter an outer annular member may be attachedto the gear wheel of any generator to make the unitary assembly; and the annular member may be driven so as to drive the generator gear. This is accomplished by having a plurality of internested and concentric annular members adapted to be arranged between the outer annular member and the gear wheel, together with means for clamping all annular members together and to the gear Wheel to make a unitary assembly. If the gear is small, more or different internesting annular members will be required than if the gear wheel is large. These annular members may be easily assembled with the proper number or type of members arranged between the gear wheel and the outer annular member Vand are held together by cam or wedging means arranged between at least some of the lateral surfaces of the internested annular members.

The invention will be described as related to an adapter for use on generator gears and armature or other shaft extensions. It is believed obvious that this adapter may be used on any substantially circular member to make a unitary whole having a constant outer diameter that can be used either for driving the circular member or for being driven by the circular member.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, the generator Ill is provided with a shaft I I, mounting anges I2 having bolt holes I3 therein, and a circular gear I4 on the shaft provided with gear teeth I5 locked to the shaft I I by means of a key I6. The adapter I1 is shown tightly locked on the gear I4 so as to make a unitary assembly.

The adapter I 'I comprises a large solid annular member I3 having an inner diameter considerably larger than the outer diameter of the largest gear I4 upon which the adapter is to be used. Arranged between the outer annular member I8 and the gear I4 are a plurality of internested annular members arrangedccncentric to each other and to the gear I4. These annular members, as shown, comprise a relatively thick outer member I9 and a relatively thin inner member 20. YThe outer internested member I9 has an outer diameter normally Slightly less than the inner diameter of the large annular member I8. The inner internested member12 has an outer diam eter normally slightly less than the inner vdiameter of the member I 9 and an inner diameter normally slightly greater than the diameter of the gear I4. As shown in the drawings, the thin an-V nular member 2!! is arranged around the gear I4; the thick annular member I 9 is arranged around thethin member and the outer. annular member I8 is arranged around the thiclrmember I9.. Thethick outer internested annular member. IQ is provided with a relatively wide split 2l extending through the member and arranged at any re quired angle to the diameter of the member. The inner internested member 20 is also provided with a relatively wide split 22 extending through the member and arranged at anangle tothe circumference of. the. member. These splits allow for considerable contraction and expansionof the respective internested members.

In order to clamp al1 the annular members together and to clamp theinner internested member 2U to thegear I4 (the tips of the teeth of which provide an effective cylindrical surface),

- the corresponding arched surface 24 holds al cam or lockpin against the Vcam surface. As shown lin the drawings, each cam or wedging means is a bolt 25 having a flattened sloped surfaceadapted to engageia camsurface 23 with the rest oi' the bolt being curved to engage'the arched surface 24. The small end of eachz bolt is provided with .screw threads 2liA arounditscurved surface with the screw threads beingengageable. by a nut 27 in order Ato urge the Vbolt 251outwardly, therebyY causing it to Vbearagainst the cam surface 23 and the archedsurface 24. Thecurved surface on which the screw threads 26 are locatedV extendsmo're 'than halfway around the circumference of the bolt at this point so that the nut 2l will be held on the bolt. VThe nut 2l bears against a washer 28.

When the adapter is assembled as shown inthe drawings, the bolts`25 ract as cams serving to'provide outward pressure on the largeannular member I 8 and inward'pressure on the internested members I9 and 2i). This causes compression of the members I9 and 20 andfserves to bind them together` and to bind the inner member 20 on the gear I4, thereby providing a unitary assembly including the gear.

The large outer annular member I8 is provided Y with an annular groove`29 forfengagement with a V-belt through which power Vmay beitransmitted to drive the generator shaft I I. It is believed obvious that any other desired power transfer surface may be provided if desired. Theseinclude gear teeth, a flat surface for engaging a belt, and the like. Y

Each of the internested members are split, with the sides of each split being separated from each other when no pressure is applied to the member. This permits substantial contraction of the member. The term split, therefore, as used herein means that the sides are so divided. If desired,

any or all of the internested members maybe divided on a diameter or elsewhere to make two or more parts.

VIn theV embodiment shown in Figs. Il to 6, incluH sive, the adapter is capable of use on a generator Ill) having an. oil slinger ring Il! provided with spaced holes HZ, on the periphery thereof, with the diameter of the oil slinger ring being larger than that of the gear H4. The gear is formed integrally with the oil slinger of the generator which in turn is secured to the armature shaft.

As shown, it is aV press t thereon.

The adapter comprises a large solid annular member H having an innerV diameter larger than the outerdiameter of the gear I i4 and the oil slinger I I I. The outer surface of the annular member I I8 is provided with a groove 22e which is adapted to be'engaged by a V-belt to drive the generator armature. Arranged between Vthe an nular member IIS and the gear Ile is a smaller annular member I is. Y This second annular member IIS is divided into two parts Illia and ilib substantially on a diameter. The two'parts are so dimensioned that when they are placed on the gear II4 the adjacent edges of the two parte on the diameter will be slightly separated and thc overall diameter of the smaller annular member H9 will be slightly less than the inner diameter of the larger annular member H8, Vas shown in Fig. 4.Y By having the smaller annular member IISlin twoparts, it may easily be placed on the gear II4 without interference by the oil slinger ring III.

One part H91) ,of the smaller annularrniember II9 is. provided with a depressed sloping surface |23 on its outer surface. The inner surface o? the larger annular member II8 is provided with. a corresponding arched surface 124.. The depressed surface I23 provides a cam surface while the arched surface holds a lockpin or bolt against the cam surface. VAs shown in Fig. 5, the bolt I25 has a flattened slopedV surface adapted'to engage the'cam surface 23 with the rest of the bolt being curved to engage the arched surface |24.

being engageable by a nut 121 in order to urti?y the bolt 125 outwardly, thereby causing it to bear against the cam surface IES and the arched surm face |24. The nut I2I bears against the washer In order to aid in holding the assembly in proper alignment, there is provided a right angled groove HillY on the outier edge of the small annular member iIl'which is adapted to engage a simw ilarly shaped Vflange I5! on the inner edge of the large annular member l I 8.

As can be seen in Fig. 5, the thickness of the small'annular member H9 is considerably less than the thickness of the large annular member IIB. This provides greater driving surface for the large annular member while enabling the adapter to be assembled on a gear of relatively small thickness.

In theembodiment shown in Figs. 7 and 8 The small end of the bolt is provided Y with screw threads |25 with the screw threads.

there are provided a large solid annular member 2|8, a second annular member 2|9 internested within the first member 2I8, a third annular member 210 internested within the second annular member 2I9 and a fourth annular member 2I4 contacting the shaft 2H that is to be driven. The large solid annular member 2|8 is provided with a groove 229 on its outer surface so that it can be driven by a belt or the like. The first annular member 2i8 and the second annular member 2|9 are locked together by spaced bolts 225 having cam surfaces thereon and nuts 221 engaging threaded ends 226 of the bolts with the bolts having cam surfaces and operating in the same manner as described above. The second annular member 2I9 and the third annular member 210 are locked together by similar cam bolts 216 and nuts 215. The fourth annular member 2|4 is compressed by the action of the cam bolts s as to be locked on the shaft 2H. The fourth annular member 2I4 is provided with an arcuate tongue 28D adapted to nt within a similarly shaped groove on the shaft 2| I in order that the adapter may be more rmly locked on the shaft.

The third annular member 210 is provided with a relatively wide split 210a in order to permit a substantial degree of contraction when force is applied thereto. This annular member is also provided with two other spaced splits 210b on the outer surface thereof in order to make the member more Iiexible. These two splits 21lJb extend less than the thickness of the member. The fourth member 2l4 is provided with similar splits 2I4a and 2Mb which permit flexing of the member 2|4 in order to position the member on shaft 2H with tongue 28D in its groove (Fig. 8).

In theembodiment shown in Figs. 9 and 10, improved means are provided for driving the adapter assembly. In the form shown, the adapter that is fastened to the shaft 3H is `the same as that shown in Figs. 7 and 8 except that the outer annular member 2| 8 is omitted. The second annular member 3l9 and the third an nular member 310 are locked together by the cam bolts 315 and nuts 316. Any other form of adapter may be used if desired.

In this embodiment, the second annular mem ber 3|9 is provided with laterally projecting pins 50 with each pin having a shank portion 50a of smaller diameter than the rest of'the pin and held within a hole on the annular member 319. Each shank portion 50a i5 provided with a threaded projecting end 5012 so that the pin may be held in position by a nut I. At least two of these pins are provided, but more than two are preferred.

The adapter, shaft 3l I, and thus the generator 2|0 are driven by providing a disk 52 of rubber or other resilient material arranged adjacent the adapter and mounted for rotation. The disk is provided with spaced holes 52a in which the pins 50 are-held. The rubber disk serves to absorb shocks and provides a more-or-less universal driving means between the joint and adapter. The disk 52 is mounted on a metal backing plate 53 against which is arranged a second backing plate 54 having an annular extension 55 thereon. The rubber disk 52 is held in place on the backing plate 53 by spaced pins 56 bolted to the back ing disks 53 and 54 andI extending into holes 51 in the rubber disk 52. These pins may be bonded to the rubber by means of a rubber adhesive. The disk is also fastened in place by means of an annular flange 58 extending around the outer surface of the disk and 'attached to the backing plate 53. This flange 58 has a bent-over portion 58a closely embracing the free edge of the rubbber disk 52.

In the form shown, the backing plates 53 and 54 have their outer edges ared away from each other to provide a groove 59 in order that the assembly may be driven by a belt or the like.

The annular extension 55 on the outer backing plate 54 is locked on shaft 60 by means of a set screw 6l engaging a keyway 62 on the shaft 60. With this construction, the assembly may be rotated either by rotating the shaft 60, or by rotating the backing plates 53 and 54 by means of a belt or the like engaging the groove 59.

Having described my invention as related to one embodiment of the same, it is my intention that the invention be not limited by any of the details of description unless otherwise specified, but rather be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as set out in the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. A universal adapter for use on each of a plurality of substantially circular members of various diameters for making a unitary assembly having a desired outer diameter, said adapter comprising: an annular member having an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the largest circular member; a plurality of internested substantially concentric annular members with the outer internested member having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of said first annular member and the inner internested member having an inner diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the circular member upon which the adapter is to be used, each of said internested members having a close fit with the members adjacent it and each being provided with a wide split to provide a substantial degree of contraction when force is applied to the outside of the member; a plurality of depressed surfaces extending across the outer surface of the outer internested member with each depressed surface sloping from one end to the other to provide a cam surface; a plurality of arched surfaces on the inner surface of the rst annular member with each arched surface adapted to extend over a cam surface; and a bolt held between each cooperating cam surface and arched surface with the bolt having a surface engaging the cam surface for applying pressure simultaneously outwardly against the first annular member and inwardly against the internested members.

2. A universal adapter` for use on each of a plurality of substantially circular members of various diameters for making a unitary assembly having a desired outer diameter, said adapter comprising: an annular member having an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the largest circular member; a plurality of internested substantially concentric annular members with the outer internested member having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of said first annular member and the inner internested member having an inner diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the circular member upon which the adapter is to be used, each of said internested members having a close fit with the members adjacent it and each being provided with a wide split to provide a substantial degree of contraction when force is ap` plied to the outside of the member, and the outer internested member being relatively thick and at least the inner internested member being relatively thin; a plurality of depressed surfaces extending. across the outer surface sloping yfrom one-end to tbeother to provide a cam surface;

` a plurality of arched surfaces on the inner sur,-

jiace, each of Vwhich isradapted to extend over a power"r transfer means; a plurality oi interncsted Substantially concentric annular members with the outer` intcrnested member having an outer diameter slightlyy sina ler than the inner di=s :mieter of said first annular member and the linner internested member having anl inner din l aineter slightly larger kthan the diameter of the circular member upon which the adapter is to be used, each ci saidv internested members having la close nt with the members adjacent it and .each being provided with a wide split to provide a substantial degree of contraction when force is applied to the outside of the member, and the outer internested member being relatively thick and at least the inner internested member being relatively thin; a plurality of depressed .surfaces extending across the Vouter surface of theouter internested member. with veach depressed surface sloping from one end to the other to provide a cani surface; a plurality of arched surfaces on the inner surface of the first annular member with each arched surface adapted to extend over a cam surface; a bolt held between each cooperating cam surface and arched surface with the bolt vhaving a surface adapted to engage the cam surface for applying pressure simultaneously outwardly against the first annular member and inwardly against the internested members when the bolt is urged toward the shallower end c1 said depressed surface; yand means for urging said bolt toward said shallower end.

BENJAMXN ROZETT.

Y REFERENCES C {TED The following references are of record in the vfile ci this patent:

UI'VHTED STATES PATENTS Number Nain-.e Date 611,556 Blanton, Jr. Sept. 27, 1898 1,269,075 Grabill June 171', 1918 y1,708,006 Wallace et a1 Jan. 22, 1929 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 1 105,155 Great Britain of 1917 

